Chinese envoy urges Israel to abandon illusion of complete military victory

A Chinese envoy urged Israel on Thursday to stop relying on military force and the false hope of achieving total victory in Gaza, while also calling for an end to violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and security. During a UN Security Council briefing about the Middle East, Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, warned that the ongoing violence in Gaza is escalating and that both Lebanon and Israel are nearing a full-scale conflict, which threatens the stability of the entire region.

Geng emphasized that Israel should abandon its fixation on military solutions, halt its operations in Gaza, and refrain from actions that could lead to further regional catastrophe. He referred to a resolution proposed by Palestine, which the UN General Assembly passed during an Emergency Special Session, as “a historic landmark.” This resolution calls for Israel to end its illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territories, urges all parties to cease supplying arms to Israel, reaffirms the necessity of upholding international law, and promotes the rapid implementation of a two-state solution.

The envoy pointed out that Israel’s recent actions, such as expanding settlements and restricting Palestine’s viability, undermine the foundation for a two-state solution. He urged the international community to take immediate steps to revive the prospects for such a solution.

Geng also highlighted the Security Council’s failure to take decisive actions to resolve the Palestinian issue or address the ongoing Gaza conflict, largely due to the reluctance of one country. He recalled that over three months ago, the United States had asserted that Israel accepted a ceasefire deal, but instead, Israeli military operations have intensified, along with increasing demands for negotiations.

He criticized the United States for asking for more time while people in Gaza continue to suffer, questioning why such patience is so expensive. Geng reiterated China’s support for the Security Council to utilize all available measures to implement resolutions, end the conflict, and achieve peace in the Middle East.